Montane ecosystem
An ecosystem in mountainous terrain, shaped by elevation, slope, climate, and the plant and animal communities adapted to these conditions.
Altitudinal zonation: The arrangement of climate, vegetation, and ecological communities in bands along an elevation gradient. Temperature and growing seasons shift with height, producing distinct ecological zones on mountain slopes.
Mountain: A large landform that rises prominently above its surroundings, usually with steep slopes and a summit. Montane ecosystems arise from the varied terrain and elevation of mountains.
Watershed: An area of land that drains rainfall and runoff into a common outlet. Mountain watersheds capture and route water that supports downstream communities and ecosystems.
Upslope shift: The movement of species or ecological zones toward higher elevations over time. Warming can push montane communities toward shrinking areas near mountain summits.
Lowland ecosystem: An ecosystem on relatively low terrain, generally lacking the strong elevation gradients found in mountains. Its weaker elevation gradients contrast with the rapid environmental changes characteristic of montane terrain.
Orographic lift: The cooling and condensation of moist air as it rises over elevated terrain, often producing precipitation. Mountains redirect airflow, creating wet windward slopes and drier rain shadows.
Alpine ecosystem: An ecosystem above the treeline in high mountains, characterized by cold conditions and low-growing vegetation. It is a distinct high-elevation zone within many mountain regions.
Cloud forest: A tropical or subtropical mountain forest frequently immersed in low clouds and fog. Its vegetation captures moisture from clouds, supporting distinctive biodiversity and water flows.
Endemism: The restriction of a species to a particular geographic region and nowhere else. Isolation among mountain ranges can produce species with exceptionally limited distributions.
Polar ecosystem: An ecosystem in the Arctic or Antarctic, shaped chiefly by high latitude, cold, and seasonal light. Polar and montane environments can both be cold, but their climatic causes differ.